TROWBRIDGE & DISTRICT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE: Wanderers fight back for deserved point

TROWBRIDGE & DISTRICT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE: Wanderers fight back for deserved point

DIVISION One basement side Trowbridge Wanderers would have been looking forward to their Tuesday evening clash at home to an out-of-sorts Semington Magpies.

Magpies, who after an excellent run of results leading up to the new year have failed to win any of their seven matches in 2014, saw that run continue as Wanderers picked up only their sixth point of the campaign after twice coming from behind to claim a 2-2 draw.

Neither team were able to find the net in the first half, but the second period saw the game come to life as Richard Allum put Semington in front not long after the restart only for Wanderers to level things almost immediately with Dan Mercer scoring his second goal of the season.

Semington looked on course for victory when Dan Rimmer gave them the lead for a second time, but a spirited Wanderers side fought back well and Magpies couldn’t hold on as Jamie Kinchly netted to earn his team a deserved share of the spoils.

Bradford United 2 Freshford United 10

AFTER securing their first Division One title since 2006 at the weekend, Chris Birleson’s Freshford United side would have arrived at Culver Close in a partying mood ahead of the match with near-neighbours and fierce rivals Bradford United.

A superb second-half performance from the champions saw them complete a stunning 10-2 victory to leave their hosts, who were drawing 2-2 after 45 minutes, more than a little deflated.

Bradford stunned their guests when they took the lead against the run of play through Phil Little, but Freshford restored parity when Nick Ross got on the end after a fine team move to make it 1-1.

Bradford regained the lead with Richie Bliha putting them back in front with a stunning half volly only for Dan Fowler to square things up at 2-2 when he smashed home a Russell Whatley flick-on.

Freshford who usually have a sluggish second half came with all guns blazing and took the lead for the first time in the game when Ross bagged his second of the night after being set up by Fowler.

Fowler made if 4-2 following an assist from Mark Gerrish who then added number five himself after being set up by Adam Hyde.

Good work from Dan Fowler set up Tom Rooney for his first of the night which was quickly followed a third of the game from Fowler.

Rooney completed the scoring with final three Freshford goals to take his own tally to four and the villagers to 10.

His first game from a Gerrish assist with the final two being all his own doing with both being almost identical; after winning the ball on the halfway line he raced clear to net goals nine and ten.

Castle Combe 6 Calne Eagles 4

CALNE Eagles were unable able to build on their victory over Steeple Ashton and a 6-4 defeat at Castle Combe leaves them as the favourites for relegation along with Trowbridge Wanderers.

Goals from Jordan Winter, Laurence Elliott, Billy Gleed and Keiron Gleed were not enough for Calne as goals from Will Gale (three), Ben Pemberton, Martin Riddell and Jake Dawson won it for Combe.

Westbury United Reserves 5 North Bradley 1

AFTER gifting Westbury United Reserves the 3three points from their scheduled fixture last Saturday, when they were unable to raise a team, Chris Carr’s North Bradley side travelled to Meadow Lane for the reverse fixture looking for a victory to rekindle their chances of finishing as top flight runners-up.

But like the first meeting the points went the way of Westbury.

Two early goals from Ryan Earny and Jon Price put Westbury ahead. Joe Moloney added a third before Nick Gleeson pulled a goal back for Bradley when he scored from the penalty spot.

Second-half goals from Marc Lanfear and Matty Dyer wrapped up victory for Westbury who now trail the Lamb by two point but with two games in hand on Tony Stevens side will be favourites to catch and overtake them in the weeks ahead.

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